4 Steps to Protect Yourself from Lung Cancer

Almost a quarter of a million Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year, and more will die from it than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined, the National Cancer Institute says. You know that if you smoke, you increase your risk of lung cancer — and, in fact, tobacco smoke causes nearly nine out of 10 cases. If you quit today, your lungs will begin to repair themselves in just two weeks; if you quit before age 50, your risk of dying in the next 15 years is cut in half. More ways to protect yourself:

Get your spouse to quit. A non-smoker who lives with a smoker has a 20% to 30% greater risk of developing lung cancer. The link between secondhand smoke and cancer is well documented. About 3,400 non-smokers die from lung cancer each year. If your spouse smokes, at minimum don’t let him light up in the house; and best, help him quit (call 800-QUIT-NOW).